Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science
The mission of the Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science master’s program is to prepare its diverse student population of traditional and non-traditional students to meet society’s growing need for psychological services in a variety of settings. Students in this program will engage in a program of study based on rigorous coursework, research, and service activities founded on the scientist-practitioner model of education. This program will prepare students to go on to doctoral study in psychology, sociology, and other areas, or to work in industry, government, mental health care, or private practice, consistent with the Kentucky State University motto: Come in to Learn—Go Out to Serve.
The Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science program takes a multidisciplinary approach to the application of psychology and other social sciences as they relate to the legal system, broadly defined. Students in the program will learn theoretical perspectives from psychology, sociology, criminology, law, basic and applied research methods, and statistical techniques, developing competencies relevant to the science and practice of psychology, and to the study of the intersection of behavioral and social science and law.
Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Intelligence Studies
MIBS offers a 12-hour Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Intelligence Studies. Students who elect this graduate certificate will enroll in courses such as Behavioral Profiling, Persuasion and Radicalization, Terrorism and Insurgency, Political Psychology, and other courses taught by faculty from Psychology, Sociology, and Political Science.
Financial Support
Students who participate in the MIBS program may be eligible for scholarship money, travel awards, and other benefits such as research support, opportunities to present at conferences, and access to hiring managers from local, state, and national intelligence and security organizations. The following link will take you to the Office of Financial Aid, where you will find current information about tuition, fees, and other financial aid services.
https://kysu-preview.courseleaf.com/graduate/fees-financial-assistance/
Probation and Dismissal
Any student on probationary admission who fails to perform satisfactorily while initially enrolled will be dismissed from the program. To remain in the program all probationary students must:
- Attempt at least nine (9) hours of coursework in the Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science program within one year of admission.
- Earn a GPA of at least 3.0 on the first nine or more hours attempted, with no grades below B.
Probationary students who meet these initial performance requirements will be converted to regular graduate student standing in the program. They will then be subject to the same probation and dismissal procedures as other graduate students.
Probationary students who fail to meet either of these initial performance requirements will be dismissed from the program.
A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. A student placed on academic probation may subsequently enroll in up to 9 semester credit hours of graduate-level coursework, during which the student must bring their overall GPA up to at least 3.0. Those who reach the overall 3.0 level will be allowed to continue in the program and to remain in good academic standing. Students who fail to reach a GPA of 3.0 during the probationary period will be dismissed from the program.
After one year, a dismissed student may appeal in writing to the program coordinator for readmission. If readmission is granted, the student will be placed on up to 9 credit hours of probation. If the student does not reach an overall GPA of 3.0 during the subsequent 9 credit hours they will be permanently dismissed from the University without appeal.
Program Course Load
Full-time MIBS students carry a normal load of 9 semester credit hours of graduate-level coursework per semester. (Part-time students who are employed full-time are advised to carry no more than 6 semester credit hours of graduate-level coursework in any semester.)
Admission
For information about admission requirements and to apply online for admission to the Kentucky State University MA Program in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science, please visit the graduate studies web site at: https://www.kysu.edu/academics/grad-studies/index.php
Your application includes the following components:
- A properly completed application submitted via the GradCAS system, found on the link below:
https://gradcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/ - A letter of application with a statement of educational goals and career objectives in the form of a thoughtful, well-written essay of approximately 1,500 words. Your essay should describe your motivation for earning a degree from the MIBS program and discuss relevant experiences which have contributed to this goal. The essay should address your future goals and why you believe that the MIBS program will help you to achieve your desired future. The essay will be evaluated for content and writing mechanics such as grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity, and rated as satisfactory or unsatisfactory by the program faculty;
- A curriculum vitae or resume of qualifications, including your extracurricular activities, participation in professional development activities related to the field, relevant work experience, and any knowledge, skills, or abilities that you believe would make you a good fit for the MIBS program;
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Copies of all official transcripts must be submitted from the applicant’s undergraduate and graduate institutions directly to GradCAS;
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. Exceptions to this requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis, but preference for admission to the MA Program in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science will be given to applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Three letters of recommendation from professors or employers addressing your academic preparation for graduate study, which your recommenders will submit directly to the GradCAS system.
After review of the completed application, applicants who meet the entry requirements may be granted regular admission status by the program admission committee, which will consist of the program coordinator and two qualified faculty.
The MIBS program is research focused. Preference will be given to applicants who have earned a grade of B or higher in undergraduate statistics and research methods. Probationary admission status may be granted if students do not meet all the requirements stated above. Probationary students are subject to initial performance requirements more stringent than those imposed upon others. Students who are accepted into the MIBS program with academic deficits such as insufficient coursework or low grades in statistics and methods may be required to enroll in undergraduate courses to remedy those deficits. All unsatisfactory requirements must be met before students are granted regular admission to the program.
Psychology and Law Curriculum (45 hours)
The MIBS program is research-oriented. MIBS students may opt to complete either a thesis or a professional paper option, although emphasis will be placed on the thesis option described below.
Thesis Option
The table below presents a curriculum plan for the Thesis Option, outlining the sequence of courses. The curriculum plan assumes a 4-6 semester completion schedule for full-time students and a completion schedule of 6-8 semesters for part-time students.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| Psychology & Law | 3 | |
| Intermediate Statistics | 3 | |
| Research Methods | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Law & Social Science | 3 | |
| Intermediate Statistics II | 3 | |
| Research Methods II | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Core or Electives | 0-9 | |
| Hours | 0-9 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Psychology of Criminal Behavior | 3 | |
| Assessment & Treatment of Offenders | 3 | |
| Offending & Corrections | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Aggression & Violence | 3 | |
| Thesis II | 3 | |
| Comprehensive Exam | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| As needed. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 36-45 | |
Full-time students opting for the thesis plan should complete their Master’s degree program requirements within the first four semesters (i.e., not more than two years). To maintain satisfactory academic progress, MIBS students should adhere to the following schedule:
- Complete at least 12 credits of coursework by the end of the second semester in the program and sign up for the remaining 18 credit hours (including 6 hours of thesis credit) during the third and fourth semesters in the program;
- Form a thesis committee by the beginning of the third semester in the program and complete and obtain approval of the thesis proposal by the end of the third semester in the program;
- Write the thesis during the fourth semester, schedule an oral exam over the thesis, and obtain its approval within the time frame designated by the student's thesis advisor.
Part-time students should complete these requirements within six semesters to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
All MIBS students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for any available funding.
Non-Thesis Option
The table below presents the curriculum for the Non-Thesis Option, outlining the sequence of courses. The curriculum plan also assumes a 4-6 semester completion schedule for full-time students and a completion schedule of 6-8 semesters for part-time students.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| Psychology & Law | 3 | |
| Intermediate Statistics | 3 | |
| Research Methods | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Law & Social Science | 3 | |
| Intermediate Statistics II | 3 | |
| Research Methods II | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Core or Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Psychology of Criminal Behavior | 3 | |
| Assessment & Treatment of Offenders | 3 | |
| Offending & Corrections | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Aggression & Violence | 3 | |
| Professional Paper | 3 | |
| Comprehensive Exam | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| As needed. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Full-time students opting for the non-thesis plan should also complete their program requirements within four semesters and should adhere to the following schedule:
- Complete at least 15 credits of coursework by the beginning of the third semester in the program and sign up for the remaining 18 credit hours of coursework during the third and fourth semesters in the program;
- Schedule to take the comprehensive exam in the third semester in the program.
Part-time students should complete their program requirements within six semesters, and adhere to the same timeline as full-time students.
Comprehensive Examination Requirements
The MIBS comprehensive examinations covers the first-year sequence (core content), and consists of several components:
- Theory: Substantive and practical papers applying concepts from PSY 551 Psychology & Law and PSY 552 Law & Social Science;
- Research Methods: Substantive and practical papers applying concepts from PSY 505 Intermediate Research Methods and PSY 506 Intermed. Research Methods II;
- Statistics: Substantive and practical papers applying concepts from PSY 503 Intermediate Statistics and PSY 504 Intermediate Statistics II;
- Ethics: Substantive paper applying concepts from PSY 671 Diversity & Law; and
- A comprehensive learning portfolio encompassing an evaluation of progress and the value-added aspects of the student’s training and education.
All components will encompass a wide range of topics and issues. Students must successfully complete all components to earn a passing final grade on the comprehensive exam. Exams will be graded according as High Pass, Pass, or Fail. Students who fail components may be granted a re-take of those components. Students who do not successfully complete all components with a passing grade on the second try will be required to retake the entire exam.
All exams will be administered by the Program Coordinator. Faculty teaching specific content areas will evaluate students' submissions in that area. The Program Coordinator and faculty members together will reach a decision about the final grade for each section.
Graduate Student Financial Support and Assistantships
Financial support for qualified graduate students is available through tuition scholarships. A limited number of graduate assistantships may be available for students pursuing a degree or certificate from the MA Program in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science. Depending upon the availability of funds, students holding these positions work 10-20 hours per week and may receive stipends. Graduate assistants work with program faculty in their instructional and research activities. Students interested in such positions may inquire directly with program faculty. Assistantships are awarded according to availability, academic achievement, and need.